Fluid delivery systems

ABSTRACT

A bearing assembly for relatively moveable pipe sections in a fluid delivery system, said assembly comprising a main body ( 12 ) adapted to be connected to one end of one pipe section, the main body having in a generally radially extending annular face, a coaxial seat ( 16 ), to receive a first, generally annular bearing member ( 17 ), and a coaxial groove ( 18 ) to receive an annular seal member ( 19 ), an annular center swivel section ( 21 ) adapted to be connected to one end of a second pipe section and having on one generally radially extending face, a coaxial seat ( 22 ) to engage said first bearing member and having a second coaxial seat ( 23 ) on an opposed generally radially extending face to receive a second annular bearing member ( 24 ), said swivel section including an annular, axially extending boss ( 28 ) extending away from said main body with the opposed generally radially extending face extending radially outwardly from said boss, and a bearing end cap ( 26 ) adapted to engage around said second pipe section and be fastened to said main body sandwiching said swivel section and bearing members, said end cap having a seat ( 35 ) for said second bearing member, and a second seal member ( 31 ) disposed between said end cap and said swivel section.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

This invention relates to improvements in fluid delivery systems andrelates particularly to improvements in such systems which may be usedfor firefighting purposes, dust laying in mines and other environments,agricultural applications, industrial cleaning and other applications.

While the invention is suitable for any of the applications referred toabove, and others, it will be described herein in relation to itsapplication to firefighting. It will be appreciated, however, that theinvention is not so limited and aspects of the invention which may needto be modified for its application in other areas will be apparent tothose skilled in the art.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PRIOR ART

Water cannon used in firefighting, and in other applications, may bemounted at any appropriate location including on firefighting vehicles.Thus, it is known to mount water cannon on the cabins of firefightingvehicles, such cannons being remotely controlled from within the vehiclecabin. Generally, the cannon is mounted so that the director nozzle ismovable both in a vertical and horizontal plane to direct fluid issuingfrom the nozzle in the desired direction. To facilitate such movement,parts of the water cannon assembly must be moveable relative to eachother.

In one particular form of water cannon, the cannon structure is formedof pipe work which is adapted to be mounted in the desired location,such as on a vehicle cabin, the pipe work being connected to a supply offluid, and the pipe work being relatively moveable so that a nozzle onits end may be directed in an appropriate, desired direction. With thisarrangement, the movement of parts of the pipe work relative to eachother requires the use of one or more fluid tight bearings.

Such fluid type bearings may involve the use of radially extendingbearing surfaces, which may incorporate needle, roller or ball bearings,and axially extending sealing surfaces which incorporate a sealingmedium, such as one or more O-rings or other sealing material actingbetween relatively movable, radially spaced, axially extendingcylindrical surfaces. Such known bearings provide minimum stability andsupport for equipment attached thereto.

It is therefore desirable to provide an improved water delivery systemincorporating a modified form of bearing connecting relatively moveablepipe sections.

It is also desirable to provide an improved bearing assembly forrelatively movable pipe sections which is relatively simple inconstruction, is rugged and durable in use and is easily maintained.

It is also desirable to provide an improved bearing assembly forrelatively movable pipe sections in a fluid delivery system whichincorporates driving means for relatively moving one of the pipesections.

It is also necessary that movement of the nozzle be effected by anappropriate power source. It has been known to utilise air compressorsfitted to firefighting vehicles to provide pneumatic control systems forthe water cannon. Alternatively, other known systems use the existingvehicle hydraulic system to obtain a supply of hydraulic power foroperation of the water cannon.

However, the use of the vehicle hydraulics in a water cannon system hascertain inherent disadvantages including potential contamination to thehydraulic fluid in the vehicle hydraulic system, constant oil flow andpressure through that system which may shorten the life of components,relatively complicated “set up” in providing the necessary hydrauliclines and connectors, and significant vehicle down time when watercannon servicing needs to be performed.

It is therefore desirable to provide an improved water delivery systemwhich obviates some of the disadvantages of the systems currently knownand available.

It is also desirable to provide an improved fluid delivery system whichis versatile, may be fitted in any appropriate location, including onvehicles and the like, does not require the use of existing hydraulic orpneumatic lines, and is able to be retrofitted, where necessary.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

According to one aspect of the present invention there is provided abearing assembly for relatively moveable pipe sections in a fluiddelivery system, said assembly comprising a main body adapted to beconnected to one end of one pipe section, the main body having a coaxialseat to receive a first annular bearing member, and a coaxial groove toreceive an annular seal member, an annular center swivel section havingon one radial face a coaxial seat to engage said first bearing memberand having a similar coaxial seat on an opposed radial face to receive asecond annular bearing member, said swivel section including an annular,axially extending boss extending away from said main body, said bossbeing adapted to be connected to one end of a second pipe section, and abearing end cap adapted to engage around said second pipe section and befastened to said main body sandwiching said swivel section and bearingmembers, said end cap having a seat for said second bearing member, anda second annular seal member disposed between said end cap and saidswivel section.

In a preferred form of the invention, the center swivel boss extendsthrough the opening in the end cap and is closely spaced therefrom. Theboss provides rigidity for the center swivel as well as providing forthe securement of the second pipe section.

In one form of the invention, the main body is formed on its outersurface with gear teeth by which the body and its associated first pipesection is able to be rotated about the axis of the bearing relative tothe swivel section and the second pipe section.

In a preferred form of the invention, the end cap is secured to the mainbody by means of axially extending bolts. The main body may be securedto the first pipe section by welding or the like or by use of a screwthread formed in the main body and on the end of the pipe section.Locking means may be used to securely lock the body to the pipe sectionas necessary.

Similarly, in a preferred form of the invention, the swivel section issecured to the second pipe section by welding or the like or by the useof cooperating screw threads with an appropriate lock nut or otherlocking means.

Preferably, the bearing members each comprise annular thrust rings withsubstantially parallel, radial faces which engage the respective mainbody, swivel section and end cap. While the first bearing member ispreferably formed as a one piece thrust ring, the second bearing membermay be formed as a split thrust ring to facilitate assembly of thebearing member onto a second pipe section which is welded or otherwisesecured to the swivel section, particularly during maintenance andreplacement of that bearing member.

Preferably, the end cap is provided with a dust seal slot in an innercylindrical surface which is adjacent the surface of the second pipesection. An appropriate dust seal is located in the dust seal slot tominimise the ingress of foreign matter.

The bearing assembly of the present invention provides a rigid yeteasily rotatable bearing structure for two pipe sections which may formthe pipe work associated with a water cannon or the like. Such devicesare commonly mounted on the cabins of vehicles and, as such, are subjectto substantial vibration and lateral and bending forces which areconcentrated at the bearing connection between the pipe sections. Thebearing assembly of the present invention, incorporating the centerswivel with the elongated, axially extending boss which passes throughthe end cap, provides the necessary rigidity and stability for a cannonsystem.

A further aspect of the present invention is the provision of ahydraulic water cannon kit adapted to be mounted at any appropriatelocation, including a vehicle cabin or other location on a vehicle, orat any fixed location. The system of the invention draws power from anyelectrical supply, including a vehicle electrical supply, and includeselectrically driven hydraulic pumps to supply hydraulic motors whichcontrol the system, including rotation of the pipe work.

The water cannon, or similar equipment, is supplied with water from astorage system using pumps to develop the necessary head. Two bearingassemblies are incorporated into the water cannon pipe system wherebythe water cannon nozzle is able to be moved in both the horizontal andvertical planes. Hydraulic motors are associated with each bearingwhereby the appropriate pipe section is able to be rotated relative toits associated section to produce the necessary movement of the nozzle.Alternatively, hydraulic cylinders may be used in place of hydraulicmotors where the angle of movement is limited.

An electric joy stick control is provided at an appropriate location,such as in a vehicle cabin, whereby movement of the water cannon nozzleis able to be controlled in a known manner.

In order that the invention is more readily understood, embodiments willnow be described with reference to the accompanying drawings.

DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is an exploded perspective view of one embodiment of a bearingassembly in accordance with the invention;

FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view of the bearing assembly of FIG. 1taken from the opposite direction; and

FIG. 3 is a schematic illustration of a water cannon system inaccordance with an embodiment of the invention.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

Referring to FIGS. 1 and 2 of the drawings, a bearing assembly forrelatively moveable pipe sections in a fluid supply system, such as in awater cannon or similar apparatus, has a main body 12 which is adaptedto be connected, as by welding, to one end of one of the pipe sections.It will be appreciated that the main body 12 may be secured to the pipesection by a screw thread, adhesive or any other suitable connectingmeans.

The body 12 is formed on its outer surface with gear teeth 14 by whichthe body 12 and the connected pipe section is able to be rotated aboutits axis.

The body 12 is formed on an inner radial face with a coaxial seat 16which is adapted to receive a first annular bearing member 17. A coaxialgroove 18 is also formed on the radial surface of the body 12, thegroove 18 being adapted to receive an O-ring seal 19.

The bearing assembly includes a center swivel section 21 which isadapted to be secured to one end of a second relatively moveable pipesection. Again, the center section maybe secured to the pipe section bywelding, a screw thread, adhesive or any other suitable connectionmeans.

The center swivel is provided on a first radial face with a coaxial seat22 to engage with the first bearing member 17. A similar coaxial seat 23is formed on an opposed radial face of the swivel section 21 to receivea second annular bearing member 24. A bearing end cap 26 is mountedcoaxially with the center swivel section 21 and main body 12, and issecured to the body 12 by bolts 27 or similar securing means. Thebearing end cap 26 is formed on a radial face 34 with a coaxial seat 35which, in use, engages with the annular bearing member 24.

The swivel section 21 is formed with an axially extending boss 28 whichengages through a coaxial, circular opening 29 in the end cap 26. A dustseal O-ring 31 located in a circular groove 32 in the end cap 26 sealsagainst the outer cylindrical surface 33 of the boss 28.

The first and second bearing members 17 and 24 are formed of a bearingmaterial such as phosphor bronze, but more preferably of a materialknown under the Trade Mark VESCONITE. The bearing members 17 and 24 actas thrust rings for the bearing assembly and permit relative rotationalmovement between the center swivel section 21 and the main body 12 andconnected end cap 26. The structure of the swivel section 21 with theintegral boss 28 provides a substantially rigid swivel section whichresists deformation in use and provides stability to the bearingassembly, particularly when the assembly is used in environments subjectto severe vibration and lateral forces applied to the respective pipesections.

The second bearing member 24 is preferably formed as a split thrust ringto facilitate replacement without the need to disassemble the pipesection normally connected to the center swivel section 21.

Referring to FIG. 3 there is schematically illustrated a water cannonutilising bearing assemblies of FIGS. 1 and 2. The water cannot isadapted to be mounted, for example on the roof cabin of a vehicle or atany other suitable location for use as firefighting equipment, dustlaying apparatus, agricultural purposes or the like. The water cannonincludes a first, substantially vertical pipe section 36 which isadapted to receive water from an appropriate storage by means of pumps(not shown). At the base of the water cannon is a butterfly controlvalve 37 with pneumatic or hydraulic actuator 38. A housing 39 mountedon the pipe section 36 surrounds a first bearing assembly 30 and apinion drive (not shown) on a hydraulic motor 40. The pinion on thehydraulic motor 40 engages with the drive teeth 14 on the body of thefirst bearing assembly 30. With the arrangement illustrated, the body 12of the bearing assembly 30 is secured to the second pipe section 41while the hydraulic motor 40 and housing 39 are connected to thevertically extending, first pipe section 36. Operation of the hydraulicmotor 40 thereby causes the body 12 (incorporating the drive gear teeth14) and attached second pipe section 41 and attached components to beable to rotate about the axis of the first pipe section 36 in a 360° arclimited only by the arrangement of connecting hydraulic lines 52.

A second bearing assembly 46 (without gear teeth 14) is mounted on asubstantially horizontally extending part of the second pipe section 41and connects this to a third pipe section 42 reversely turned andleading to the water cannon nozzle 47. The second bearing assembly 46 isdisposed between the second and third pipe sections 41 and 42 tofacilitate relative rotational movement therebetween whereby the watercannon is able to be moved in a vertical plane. A hydraulic cylinder 48is connected between a plate 50 attached to the second pipe section 41and the third pipe section 42 whereby the third pipe section 42 andassociated nozzle 47 is able to rotate about the horizontal axis throughthe bearing assembly 46 in an arc of up to 270°, depending on thedesired function of the cannon 47. A 360° movement may be provided ifnecessary for any particular application.

The bearing assemblies 30 and 46 are each provided with automaticlubrication systems which comprise lubrication injectors 56 mounted oneither the bearing end cap 26 or the main body 12. The lubricationinjectors 56 (one of which is shown in FIG. 3) provide an automatic,periodic injection of lubricant into the bearing assembly to lubricatethe respective bearing members. Such lubrication injectors 56 may bemanually actuated or actuated automatically by a timer.

In the structure illustrated in FIG. 3, the water cannon may becontrolled by an electric joy stick control 44 mounted in a vehiclecabin or at any other location. While water cannon of this type arecommonly connected to the hydraulic systems of a motor vehicle, thisarrangement may be relatively expensive in terms of service, down timeto the vehicle during maintenance of the cannon, potential contaminationto the vehicle hydraulic system oil and the requirement that the vehicleoperating systems be functioning to enable the water cannon to operate.It is therefore a feature of the embodiment described that the watercannon system is self contained and requires only vehicle electricalpower to operate the cannon. For this purpose, a hydraulic “power pack”49 comprises at least one, preferably several electric motors 51 whichdrive one or more hydraulic pumps located within the housing of thepower pack 49. The hydraulic pumps provide hydraulic fluid via thehydraulic lines 52 to the hydraulic motor 40, the hydraulic cylinder 48,and possibly the control valve actuator 38, although the actuator may becontrolled by vehicle pneumatics or electrics.

By providing the control system for the water cannon as a kit, thesystem can be retrofitted to any vehicle without the need for usingvehicle hydraulic systems or vehicle pneumatic systems. This system istherefore able to be moved from vehicle to vehicle if required and maybe easily maintained with minimal vehicle down time.

What is claimed is:
 1. A bearing assembly for relatively moveable pipesections in a fluid delivery system, said assembly comprising a mainbody connectable to one end of one pipe section, the main body having ina generally radially extending annular face, a coaxial seat, to receivea first, generally annular bearing member, and defining a coaxial grooveto receive an annular seal member, an annular center swivel sectionconnectable to one end of a second pipe section and having on onegenerally radially extending face, a coaxial seat to engage said firstbearing member and having a second coaxial seat on an opposed generallyradially extending face to receive a second annular bearing member, saidswivel section including an annular, axially extending boss extendingaway from said main body with the opposed generally radially extendingface extending radially outwardly from said boss, and a bearing end capengageable around said second pipe section and be fastened to said mainbody sandwiching said swivel section and bearing members, said end caphaving a seat for said second bearing member, and a second seal memberdisposed between said end cap and said swivel section.
 2. A bearingassembly according to claim 1 wherein the center swivel boss extendsthrough an opening in the end cap and is closely spaced therefrom.
 3. Abearing assembly according to claim 1 wherein the boss provides meansfor the securement of the second pipe section to the swivel section. 4.A bearing assembly according to claim 1 wherein the main body has gearteeth formed on an outer cylindrical surface by which the body isrotatable about an axis of the bearing relative to the swivel section.5. A bearing assembly according to claim 1 wherein the end cap issecured to the main body by means of axially extending bolts.
 6. Abearing assembly according to claim 1 wherein the main body is securedto the first pipe section by one of welding and cooperating screwthreads formed in the main body and on the end of the first pipesection.
 7. A bearing assembly according to claim 1 wherein the boss ofthe swivel section is secured to the second pipe section by one ofwelding and cooperating screw threads.
 8. A bearing assembly accordingto claim 1 wherein the bearing members each comprise annular thrustrings with substantially parallel, radial faces which engage with therespective seats in the respective main body, swivel section and endcap.
 9. A bearing assembly according to claim 1 wherein the secondbearing member is formed as a split thrust ring to facilitate assemblyof the bearing member onto the second pipe section.
 10. A bearingassembly according to claim 1 wherein the end cap is provided with adust seal slot in an inner cylindrical surface adjacent the surface ofthe boss, and a dust seal is located in the dust seal slot to minimizethe ingress of foreign matter.
 11. A bearing assembly according to claim1 including means for lubricating the bearing members within theassembly.
 12. A hydraulic water cannon comprising a first water inletpipe connectable to a water supply, a first bearing assembly accordingto claim 1 having the boss of the swivel section connected to the inletpipe, a second pipe section connected to the main body of the bearingassembly, the second pipe section having a right angle elbow, a secondbearing assembly having the boss of the swivel section connected to thesecond pipe section, a third pipe section connected to the main body ofthe second bearing assembly and having a reversely turned elbow to whichan angled water outlet nozzle is connected, the first bearing assemblyhaving a hydraulic actuator to move the main body relative to the inletpipe, a second hydraulic actuator to move the main body of the secondbearing assembly relative to the second pipe section, and a hydraulicfluid delivery system including at least one electrically drivenhydraulic pump connected to the hydraulic actuators.
 13. A hydraulicwater cannon according to claim 12 wherein relative movement of thebearing assemblies and the nozzle is effected by a joy stick controlactivating individual actuators.
 14. A hydraulic water cannon accordingto claim 12 wherein the hydraulic actuators comprise at least one ofhydraulic motors and cylinders.
 15. A hydraulic water cannon accordingto claim 12 wherein a control valve is mounted in the first pipesection.